Mesothelioma and asbestos case (look at this website)

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos legal, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos case exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos case can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.